MACON -- Brian Wilson, chief economic development officer for Noxubee County, today announced his departure from the Noxubee Alliance effective Jan. 1, 2010.

"Last week, the Noxubee Alliance hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Exterior Profiles Corporation in Macon. This represents just one of the many successful projects we've facilitated at the Alliance," Wilson said. "Noxubee County has a bright future of which I will always be on the team, but other opportunities will soon prevent me from being able to dedicate the time and energy Noxubee needs.

"So I have informed the county supervisors and the Noxubee Alliance that I will step down at the end of the year. But my heart will always be here in Macon."

Wilson praised recent successes and ongoing efforts of the Noxubee Alliance in economic and community development. During his time with the Alliance, the agency:

· Facilitated the largest economic development project in Noxubee's history: 400 jobs with Koch Foods

· Assisted the purchase of Outdoor Technologies by ProVia Doors and Digger Specialties to preserve Noxubee jobs

· Assisted Peco Foods to enhance and protect the existing facility in Brooksville and to expand into contract growers, a $32 million feed mill, and a new processing facility

· Facilitated the $3 million expansion of East Mississippi Pole Company and Macon Treating Company

· Facilitated the $4.8 million loan for the Noxubee Medical Center to refinance debt and put the savings toward critical infrastructure improvement

· Has continued to assist existing industries on approximately $4 million in improvement projects to protect 250 jobs

· Increased Noxubee County Chamber of Commerce membership by 10 percent

· Won inclusion for Noxubee County in the Mississippi Hills National Heritage Area designation by the U.S. Congress

· Earned a spot on and created a model announcement plan for the Mississippi Blues Trail

· Secured State Scenic River designation for the Noxubee River by the Mississippi Legislature

· Hosted economic development leaders including the president of Mississippi State University, directors of Mississippi's USDA Rural Development Office and Appalachian Regional Authority

· Partnered with energy policy group Advance Mississippi

· Was awarded the Mississippi Development Authority's top award for economic and community development

· Continuing work with companies like Boral Bricks and Hunt Forest Products to assist return plans

· Partnered with Lowndes County and Kemper County to promote development in the Golden Triangle Industrial Park and the $2.2 billion Kemper clean-coal plant

In early 2008, Wilson, with partners John Rounsaville and Brian Perry, formed Capstone Public Affairs LLC, a professional services firm providing strategic and government affairs consulting for political, corporate and public interest clients.